The Necrophiliac

The Necrophiliac, written by French author Gabrielle Wittkop in 1972, is a transgressive epistolary novel structured as a diary. The book remained untranslated into English for nearly 40 years until Don Bapst's 2011 translation brought it to English-speaking audiences. The narrative follows Lucien N., a middle-aged Parisian antique dealer who maintains a respectable public persona while pursuing his hidden nocturnal activities. His diary entries document his experiences across various locations, from Montparnasse Cemetery to the catacombs of Naples. The novel sparked polarized reactions upon its English release, with some critics praising its literary merit while others dismissed it as merely shocking. The book's explicit content and controversial subject matter place it firmly in the tradition of transgressive French literature. The text explores themes of societal taboos, the divide between public and private life, and the nature of desire - all while maintaining a controlled, detached narrative voice that contrasts with its extreme subject matter.

Readers describe this as a disturbing but poetic character study told through diary entries. Many note they had to put the book down multiple times due to its intense content. Readers praise: - The elegant, lyrical prose and French-to-English translation - The psychological depth and insight into the protagonist's mind - The compact length (96 pages) that prevents the subject matter from becoming overwhelming Common criticisms: - Too graphic and nauseating for some readers - Some felt it crossed a line between art and exploitation - Several mention feeling physically ill while reading Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (40+ ratings) From reviews: "Beautiful writing about the most horrible things imaginable" - Goodreads reviewer "A masterclass in making readers sympathize with the unsympathetic" - Amazon review "I admire the craft but wish I could unread it" - LibraryThing review

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🔍 The novel was originally published in French in 1972 under the title "Le Nécrophile" and wasn't translated into English until 2011. 💫 Author Gabrielle Wittkop was a self-taught writer who never attended school formally, yet became fluent in multiple languages and developed a sophisticated literary style. ⚜️ The book's epistolary format was inspired by 18th-century French libertine literature, particularly works like "Les Liaisons dangereuses." 🖋️ Wittkop wrote the novel while living above a funeral parlor in Paris, which some scholars suggest may have influenced the atmospheric details in the book. 🎭 The author deliberately chose a male protagonist to challenge gender expectations in literature and explore taboo subjects from an unexpected perspective.